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The Oil Cleanse Method

We all want healthy, glowing skin. The beauty industry has made a fortune peddling products that make this claim. But sometimes, the answer is sitting right there in your pantry. Say bye-bye to blackheads and blemishes using this all natural beauty secret: The Oil Cleanse Method.

What is OCM: Cleansing with oil has been done for centuries! You may be wondering how is this possible. Using oil to dissolve dirt and oil works, but why? Chemically speaking, if the solvent and solute molecules are structurally similar, then the substance will dissolve in the solvent. Huh? Basically, like dissolves like. This means that you can, in fact, use oil to dissolve the dirt and oil on your face. It will be difficult to trust this rule at first, but after a few oil cleanses you will be a believer.

We all think that oil is the enemy. It’s not! Oil, in and of itself, is healthy. Our skin produces oil because, simply put, it needs it. The sebum on our face hydrates the skin and keeps it youthful. Oil mixed with bacterial will cause clogged pores and breakouts. The goal is to keep the oil, but get rid of the pimple producing bacteria. The idea behind the OCM is that as you massage it in to your skin, it will begin to dissolve not only the surface dirt and oil, but when done with the right oils, it can draw out the impurities (bacteria) from your pores as well. Leaving behind, fresh, clean, hydrated skin. Here is what you will need:

Castor Oil: Can be found at your local drugstore. Castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties and is also knows for drawing out toxins making it a great choice to cleanse and heal the skin.

A Vegetable Oil of your choice: This will be used to dilute the thickness of the castor oil and make it more spreadable. Here are some great options

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: One of the best oils on the planet. This has been an ancient secrets of old. Be sure to pick up a good quality EVOO. Organic is always best.

Sunflower Oil: Very mild, yet calming and nourishing. A great option for the oil cleanse method.

Face Towel: any wash cloth will do

Very Warm to Hot Water

When making your Oil Cleansing solution you will need to take into account your skin type. Because Castor oil is very good at drawing out impurities, it can sometimes leave the skin dry. So, if you are prone to dry skin try a 80% Vegetable Oil + 20% Olive Oil mix.

For normal skin, a 70% Veggie Oil to 30% Castor ratio should work just fine. And oily skin types can add a bit more Castor Oil to your mixture. Some of this step will be trial and error on your part. Make small batches at first, until you have come up with a blend that works for you.

Now time to try it out!

Step 1: Turn on your hot water faucet and let it get hot.

Step 2: While the water is heating up, take about 1 tablespoon of oil and massage it into your skin – make up an all. No need to remove the makeup first. The oil will dissolve everything, including waterproof make up formulas. Massage using circular motions for as long as you like, I recommend 2 minutes or so.

Step 3: take your washcloth and run it under the hot water and ring it out. Unfold the washcloth and immediately place it over your face. The steam from the washcloth will begin to open up your pores, allowing the trapped dirt and oil to be dissolved even further by the oil. Once it has cooled, use the cloth to wipe some of the oil off of your face. You will see all of the gunk transfer onto your face towel.

Step 4: Repeat Step 3 two more times or until all traces of oil and make up are removed from your face.

There you have it! You have just cleansed your skin using oil. You should now be left with soft, smooth, exfoliated and detoxified skin. You can now move on to your next step in your night time routine: toner, serums, moisturizer etc. Or, if your skin feels a little tight, just take a few drops of the oil and rub it on your face and be done!

I love the Oil Cleansing Method. It is one of my favorite parts of the evening, a time when I get to wind down and wash the day away. I know that my skin is getting what it needs, and I get some well-deserved “me” time.

I hope that you all choose to do your skin a prop and try out this all natural, at home skin care miracle. You should start to see the results right away. But, should your skin go through a period of purging, you may start to see a more blemishes than usual. This just means that all of the old dirt and oil in your pores that has been trapped longer and hidden away in deeper crevices are now starting to surface. Once you oil cleanse enough, these new breakouts will be banished for good! you will be left with nothing less than clean, healthy pores.